Olympique Lyonnais will enter Thursday’s Europa League tie with Crystal Palace carrying injuries, tactical questions and a reunion that Paulo Fonseca is relishing rather than avoiding. The Lyon coach described the meeting with Pierre Sage, now in charge at Palace after his spell on the OL bench, as a demanding contest he is eager to prepare for.
Quick facts
- Lyon face Crystal Palace on Thursday at 18:45 in the Europa League league phase.
- Mohamed Ouédraogo has undergone surgery.
- Nicolás Tagliafico is expected to be out for around three weeks after returning injured from international duty.
- Loïs Openda is unavailable, while Moussa Niakhaté has resumed training at a reduced intensity.
- Fonseca expects a tactical examination against Pierre Sage’s Palace.
Fonseca confirmed that Openda’s absence presents a particular problem. The Belgian is Lyon’s only recognised forward with his specific profile, leaving the coach to consider alternatives and different attacking shapes.
Pavel Sulc is among the options, despite not being a natural striker. Fonseca said Lyon can also operate without a conventional centre-forward, adapting their system to the players available.
The Portuguese coach rejected concerns over Sulc’s condition after a quieter spell. He said the Czech player has no fitness issue, explaining that he was fatigued at Lens after playing only two days earlier following the international break.
Niakhaté returned to training on Tuesday but did not take part at full intensity. Tagliafico’s injury is expected to rule him out for three weeks, while Ouédraogo has required an operation.
Fonseca welcomes Sage challenge
Crystal Palace arrive with qualities Fonseca associates with the Premier League: intensity, physical strength and clear organisation. He sees similarities between Palace’s approach and the football Sage previously produced at Lens.
Fonseca believes Palace are still developing after their coaching change, but warned that the English side are already becoming a formidable opponent. For him, the contest has an added appeal because of Sage’s tactical work.
“It is a pleasure,” Fonseca said of facing the former Lyon coach. “I like being challenged tactically. I enjoy watching his teams and what he does. Pierre is a very strong coach, and I enjoy preparing for a match against him.”
Lyon’s 2-1 defeat at Lens on 9 October remains a warning. Fonseca said his side failed in the first half to control opponents seeking to find two advanced playmakers in central spaces.
He said Lyon’s first line of pressure must recognise the right moment to press and then close the middle of the pitch. Against Lens, he felt his players did the opposite, allowing the hosts to find the interior areas too easily.
Young options under consideration
Khalis Merah gave Lyon another possible solution with a strong substitute appearance on Friday as a false nine. Fonseca noted that Merah had also played as a false 10 in Lyon’s victory in Paris, underlining his flexibility.
Rémi Himbert, meanwhile, has been told to keep working while waiting for another opening. Fonseca said the youngster remains with the group and could receive an opportunity, but must be ready to seize it.
The coach stressed that selection limits leave difficult choices in Ligue 1, where he can name only 20 players in his squad. He praised Himbert’s attitude while making clear that not every player can be included.
